Pictured from left to right are Bill Painter, Fred Beans Automotive Group corporate fixed operations recruiter; Lauren Doherty, MBIT assistant director; Pamela Swoyer, MBIT Work-Based Education coordinator and Philanthropy Today advisor; Beth Beans Gilbert, Fred Beans Automotive Group vice president; Dr. Mark Covelle, MBIT administrative director; and Julian Dragos, Fred Beans Automotive Group fixed operations director.
Fred Beans Automotive Group recently presented Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) with a new Honda minivan. The Fred Beans Charitable Foundation contributed $15,000 and the Raab Foundation $10,000 toward its purchase; MBIT covered the remaining costs. The new vehicle fulfills an ongoing need for transporting students to offsite experiences that further their learning and personal growth.Pamela Ann Swoyer, MBIT’s Work-Based Education coordinator and Philanthropy Today advisor, said the van will transport high school students to community service activities, field trips for on-the-job learning, and other extracurricular events and competitions.
“This donation is more than just a vehicle - it’s an investment in our students’ education and growth,” Swoyer added. “It will enable them to explore new opportunities, broaden their horizons and build lasting memories outside the classroom. For many students, the ability to participate in these activities is made possible because of the generosity of organizations like Beans and the Raab Foundation.”
Swoyer said that extracurricular learning, whether through community service or work-based education, is critical to the full student experience at MBIT, which encourages students to develop a range of professional and technical skills.
Fred Beans Automotive Group has welcomed MBIT students to participate in a cooperative education program at its dealership-based service centers. The company’s charitable foundation also previously contributed scholarship funding to aid students in continuing their career-focused training.
“We know the students at MBIT are preparing for high-demand careers, not just in automotive, but in just about every industry,” said Beth Beans Gilbert, vice president of Fred Beans Automotive Group. “Their success is important for the success of our area businesses and our region as a whole. We are proud to support them in their career and personal development.”
About Fred Beans Automotive Group
Fred Beans Automotive Group encompasses 30 dealerships, 21 brands, eight Fred Beans collision centers (franchised CARSTAR), two AutoExpress locations, a parts warehouse, two Carquest locations, four Autorents rental locations, and commercial truck sales. The company established the Fred Beans Charitable Trust in 2000 to give back to the community, prioritizing among organizations whose focus spans youth and education, human services, arts and culture, and community development. Learn more at https://www.fredbeans.com/.
About MBIT
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) offers innovative, rigorous, and highly relevant career and technical education programs designed to prepare high school students for a diverse array of high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand careers. With 21 career pathways, MBIT’s programs are tailored to equip students with the skills needed for Pennsylvania’s critical industries. Through hands-on, real-world training, students have the opportunity to earn industry certifications and post-secondary credits, giving them a head start on their career paths. MBIT serves students in grades 10-12 from the Centennial, Central Bucks, Council Rock, and New Hope-Solebury School Districts.
www.mbit.orgMBIT Media
Middle Bucks Institute of Technology students from the Automotive program and Philanthropy Today group celebrate the acquisition of a van donated by Fred Beans Automotive Group with additional support from the Raab Foundation.